After William McKinley defeated William Jennings Bryan to become the 25th American President in 1896, he came to the White House with a wide margin of public support. He also came to Washington, D.C. with a wife - Ida Saxton - who had been in frail health for many years. While he was running for President, McKinley stayed close to Ida's side. He received many political delegations on the front porch of their home in Canton, Ohio. Once elected, he consistently broke White House protocol to always remain close to his wife. Even at state dinner parties, they sat together.

An enormously likeable man, McKinley was known for his exemplary character, quick intelligence and endearing personality. According to "Uncle Joe" Cannon, future Speaker of the House, McKinley kept his ear so close to the ground that it was full of grasshoppers. People loved McKinley. The first President of this century was re-elected to a second term in 1900.

In September, 1901 William and Ida McKinley went to the Pan-American Exhibition in Buffalo, New York. Unknown to the McKinleys, this would be their last trip together. Leon Czolgosz, a 28-year-old factory worker from Cleveland who had become an anarchist, also traveled to Buffalo for the Exhibition. But Czolgosz planned to attend the Exhibition for one specific reason: To kill the popular President.

Ostensibly in line to shake the President's hand, Czolgosz pulled out a pistol and shot McKinley twice. One shot caused only a flesh wound. The other ripped through the President's stomach. The President, gravely wounded but ever thoughtful of his wife, told his secretary,

Then, as McKinley saw Czolgosz lying nearby, he said,

It was too late for that, however. And it was too late for the President.